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Q: Why can't motorcycles go to the pump at gas stations?
Yeah, so at least in North China. If you drive into a gas station, they always ask you to go to the front and stop your bike there. You need to get them to fill some canisters and pour the gasoline into it.
I asked one of the ladies why and she said, "Because it isn't safe for motorcycles."
But they never explain why. I tell them, it isn't like this in Canada... They just shrug and give me the ole "durrrrrr..." look.
I don't get it. How is a car different from a motorcycle at the pump?
Did some stupid rural guy drop his cigarette into the motorcycle tank and blow up a gas station? Is it just a ruse to keep motorcycles away from the pumps so people with cars can use them?
It is really annoying and as usual, the Chinese are horrible at knowing why they do things. Just told to do so.
Anybody know why?
8 years 49 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - Taiyuan
Drive-offs.
No number plates, so you can't be easily identified by the police if you do a runner. Cars - they at least have a plate, or some other more recognisable and identifiable characteristics.
Robk:
This probably makes the most sense.
But couldn't they just ask that the person pays BEFORE they give them the gas?
Still not too sure on this one. Why say it is for safety? Not to hurt people's feelings?
Shining_brow:
I imagine so... "This is possibly dangerous" sounds far better than "we don't trust you".
Where are you trying to fill up? I've been to quote a few parts of rural Guangdong where the bikes line up at one pump near the doors to the petrol station & get served one at a time though being made to pay first. Half the time they were still sat on the bike!
Did you ever try to inflate tires at the Gas station? They don't do air at Chinese Gas stations.
In China, you must go to the repair shop, 'cause 'air for the tires is different department' in China
.
I just need air for the tires on my bicycle. In West, I can inflate tires with adjuster at every Gas station. In China, that's a bit more complicated.
Maybe something to do with the auto switch off on the pump handle. A bike is filled from the top so I would imagine people would be inclined to hold the nozzle above the tank and peer in to see the fuel level. Combine that with a hot engine below the tank, I would imagine they prefer people to fill their bike away from the pump.
Hotwater:
No different to the UK. The auto switch off works the same way here.
ScotsAlan:
But the person holding the nozzle is different from the UK :)
Drive-offs.
No number plates, so you can't be easily identified by the police if you do a runner. Cars - they at least have a plate, or some other more recognisable and identifiable characteristics.
Robk:
This probably makes the most sense.
But couldn't they just ask that the person pays BEFORE they give them the gas?
Still not too sure on this one. Why say it is for safety? Not to hurt people's feelings?
Shining_brow:
I imagine so... "This is possibly dangerous" sounds far better than "we don't trust you".
An irrational fear that if the gas overflows it will pour onto the motor and catch fire. The ironic thing is it is more likely to happen when pouring from a container than the pump itself. But then again doing it their way means only your bike will burn and not the station. They will also not allow to open the hood of your car and check your oil at the pump, but are more than happy to sell you the oil.
Not sure about the bike thing, but I was in a taxi on the way to the airport in Chengdu a while ago when the driver announces we have to stop for petrol. We pull up to the pump and then he tells me I have to get out and wait by the exit. When I ask why, he simply says it's too dangerous. I was slightly concerned it was all a ploy, and he was going to drive off with my bag in the car. But no, he picked me up and we carried on our way.
It's strange that in a country so unaware of general health and safety, they are crazy about it at the petrol stations. I'm guessing there was a high profile incident at some point and in typical Chinese style (of only acting after the incident) they launched a crackdown.
ambivalentmace:
your taxi was getting propane or natural gas, all taxes and buses must disembark passengers while fueling, not sure why, truck drivers carrying propane are basically hauling a bomb around, not much difference, i have had to get off natural gas buses for fueling about 4 times in 5 years here in china.
There's a lot of superstition at the gas station, like thinking the car will burst into flames if you leave the engine on while filling up.
